It is not every day that middle-school students get the opportunity to draw images that will be printed prominently on harness racing programs. An illustration by 12-year-old Rachel DeBow and two other entrants have beaten out multiple submissions and will now make it to the cover of upcoming programs.

As an article by walworthcountytoday.com explains, the Wisconsin Harness Horse Association sponsored a contest which saw Walworth County middle-school students draw and submit harness racing illustrations. The three winners would receive $25 and have their illustration pictured on the cover of a program for an upcoming card of live racing at the Walworth County Fair.

DeBow's first-person-perspective illustration of a harness driver steering his/her mount was picked as one of the three winning submissions. According to the article, in addition to the $25 prize, DeBow and the two other winners will each receive a t-shirt featuring their art, and a family photograph from the winner’s circle. The three winners will also have their art displayed at the blacksmith’s shop at the fairgrounds and have a chance to meet and greet some of the racers.

After being informed that she won, DeBow gave much credit to Hugh Petersen, her seventh-grade Art teacher at Phoenix Middle School. "He helped me discover new kinds of art and has entered me in a lot of art competitions," she said, later adding, "He doesn’t tell us exactly what to draw, he lets us choose."

Stating that Mr. Petersen has stressed that she has artistic potential, DeBow also added that she will probably put the $25 in her bank account.

To view a slideshow of all of the submissions, click here.

(With files from walworthcountytoday.com)